FIVE NATURALS SELECTED TO TEXAS LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME

SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Texas League announced the rosters for the 81^st annual Texas League All-Star game and five (5) members of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals were selected to represent the North Division in the exhibition game that will be played on Tuesday, June 27 in Frisco, Texas. The Naturals' representatives include 1B/DH Samir Dueñez, INF Jack Lopez, and INF Humberto Arteaga as position players along with relief pitchers RHP Jake Newberry and LHP Sam Selman. Duenez and Lopez were both voted in as starters for the North Division All-Stars that will be coached by the Naturals' coaching staff: Manager Vance Wilson, Hitting Coach Leon Roberts, and Pitching Coach Steve Luebber.
Tim Purpura, the Texas League President, announced the players elected to the 81^st annual Texas League All-Star game that will be played between the North and South Divisions. Players were selected to the teams through the polling of each team's managers, hitting coaches, pitching coaches, broadcasters, as well as one media representative. A voter was not allowed to choose players from their own club.

Duenez, has been a consistent threat in the middle of the Naturals lineup all season long. The 21-year-old from Venezuela is a member of the Kansas City Royals 40-man roster and entered the game on June 14 hitting .264 while leading the team in home runs (8), runs scored (34), and RBIs (38). The power-hitting lefty will serve as the Texas League North Division All-Star starting first baseman after being voted in by the league.

Lopez, has played all over the infield for the Naturals this season as he has made starts at second base, shortstop, and third base. He currently leads the Naturals in batting average at a .307 clip to go along with two home runs, two triples, seven doubles, 15 RBI and 10 stolen bases. Lopez will get the start at second base for the North Division All-Stars, giving the Naturals both starters on the right-side of the infield.
Arteaga, has been Northwest Arkansas' primary shortstop during the year. Always known as a great defensive player, Humberto has shown a prowess with the bat during the first half of the season as he is second on the team in hitting with a .300 average entering play on June 14. Arteaga was voted onto the Texas League North Division All-Star team as a utility player and will serve as a key reserve for his skipper.
Newberry, a reliever, has been terrific out of the Naturals bullpen all year. The hard-throwing righty is 3-2 with a team-leading 2.27 ERA on the season while serving as one of the team's closers. For the season, he is tied for the league-lead in saves (7) and second in games finished (16).
Selman, a left-handed reliever, has been electric for Northwest Arkansas out of the pen. The Vanderbilt-alum is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA with five saves and has racked up an astounding 44 strikeouts in only 29.1 innings pitched. On the season, he leads all Texas League relievers in lowest batting average against (.165) as he has allowed only 17 hits in 103 at-bats and he owns the highest strikeouts per 9.0 innings ratio at 13.50.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on Season 10 of Naturals baseball.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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